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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Silicon Chip Pico 2 Computer (April 2025 )

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zeitfest
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Joined: 31/07/2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 612

Posted: 02:29am 27 Mar 2025

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I see Silicon Chip has an article (April 2025 copy)

" PICO/2/Computer
Design and firmware by Peter Mather
Words and MMBasic by Geoff Graham "

Presumably that is the PicoMiteHDMIUSB motherboard reference design

here + following pages ?

Are there any changes ? The article says two pre-populated pcbs as a kit with spares
can be ordered from their supplier in China for about $150 AUD.
Edited 2025-03-27 12:30 by zeitfest

Geoffg

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Location: Australia
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Posted: 10:01pm 27 Mar 2025

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Yes, the magazine project is the same as Peter's PicoMiteHDMIUSB motherboard reference design. As the article says, you can buy two assembled versions from JLCPCB for approx Aust$150 or, as I understand it, Silicon Chip will be selling the assembled version individually (I'm not sure of the cost).

There are no changes from Peter's original design. But since that version Peter has made some further changes as detailed in that thread.

Geoff
Edited 2025-03-28 08:06 by Geoffg

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

phil99

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Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2786

Posted: 10:31pm 27 Mar 2025

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Silicon Chip Shop - Kits / Part Sets said
An assembled Pico 2 PCB plus a separate Raspberry Pi Pico 2 and the front and rear panels for the case. Just solder the Pico 2 to the PCB, add feet or a case, and it's ready to use.

Note: the photo shows the fully assembled module (prototype version). Everything in the photo is provided but the PIco 2 and a header need to be soldered to the PCB. The SD card and CR2032 coin cell are not included.

Cat No SC7468. Price: AUD $120.00 1 add Add to trolley (available until stock is exhausted)
In stock: ? yes (7 available). Estimated dispatch time: 1-3 days
Related to: Project: The Pico 2 Computer (April 2025)

They also have the bare PCB for $5 + P&P.

Turbo46

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Joined: 24/12/2017
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Posted: 10:39pm 27 Mar 2025

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They are selling! When I bought one yesterday there were 15 available. Now there are 7.

Bill

Keep safe. Live long and prosper.

mozzie
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Joined: 15/06/2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 176

Posted: 02:55pm 29 Mar 2025

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G'day All,
Checked Tuesday they had 20 available
Ordered mine on Friday, they had 4 left
Just checked and only one left

Hopefully being this popular they will get another batch made.
I'd get in quick if you are procrastinating....

Regards,
Lyle.

zeitfest
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Joined: 31/07/2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 612

Posted: 01:03pm 31 Mar 2025

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I am wondering if SC is doing a pico 2 W or 2350B project already, given the three month publication lag, which would then supersede it

cdeagle
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Joined: 22/06/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 266

Posted: 06:26pm 14 Apr 2025

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I just received mine today. Assembly was straight-forward. However, I might have a bad RP2350. Getting a "Device Descriptor Request Failed" message from Windows 11 Device Manager when trying to upload the firmware. Probably should have checked it before soldering it to the motherboard.

I have a stand-alone RP2350 that works fine.

David

matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: 09:37pm 14 Apr 2025

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Quote Getting a "Device Descriptor Request Failed" message from Windows 11 Device Manager when trying to upload the firmware.

Have you removed the links on CN2? You can't upload with them in place

cdeagle
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Joined: 22/06/2014
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Posted: 08:07am 15 Apr 2025

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Yes, the jumpers are removed.

walshpj64
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Joined: 21/10/2025
Location: Australia
Posts: 5

Posted: 10:07am 22 Oct 2025

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Hi, I also purchased a pre assembled board from SC for $81. RP23500B chip already soldered in. I used the firmware PicoMiteHDMIUSBV6.00.01.uf2 from SC which worked ok. Also set the DVDD volts to 0.1V above the 1.0V as stated.

The only problem i had was there was no HDMI output. Console was OK. Eventually tracked it down to Setting OPTION HDMI PINS 1, 3, 5, 7 The wiring of the new on board to the HDMI was different from the old board with the plugin pico. Don't know if there will be a revised firmware for newbies like me. At least i have found this forum which is great.

Peter

matherp
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Posted: 10:39am 22 Oct 2025

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On the board, there should be a OPTION RESET command silkscreened. If you execute this at the command prompt it should fully configure the board for you. Note that for higher HDMI resolutions you will need to set DVDD to 1.3V. measure between the DVDD test point and any convenient ground (SDcard socket cover)

walshpj64
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Joined: 21/10/2025
Location: Australia
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Posted: 10:58am 22 Oct 2025

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Thanks for the reply. Yes I tried OPTION RESET HDMIUSBI2S and it wouldn't accept the command. It replied invalid board for this firmware. I tried OPTION RESET HDMIUSB and it worked but did not show or set the HDMI pin option. After i entered it manually it worked. May have to get an updated firmware. I tried PicoMiteHDMIUSBV6.00.03.uf2 from https://geoffg.net/picomitevga.html but it did not work (heartbeat LED did not start after loading).

May have to look around for a more compatible version on the forum

Yes i did also find i had to slightly increase the DVDD voltage when using 1024 x 768 the pico was stopping without it.

just in the process of getting the SD card to work and it looks like i have to change the GPIO pins from 22, 26, 27, 28 to 29, 31, 30, 32.

I found the schematic which helps greatly.

Thanks for the tips.

Peter.

matherp
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Posted: 11:01am 22 Oct 2025

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Please post a picture of the board so I can help further.

phil99

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Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2786

Posted: 11:03am 22 Oct 2025

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November SC has the updated version (I2S audio) fully assembled PCB $AU90, front and back panels $AU7.50 + P&P.

walshpj64
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Joined: 21/10/2025
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Posted: 11:08am 22 Oct 2025

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Hopefully the pics are OK.

Also the following is the options list

> option list
PicoMiteHDMI MMBasic USB RP2350B Edition V6.00.01
OPTION SERIAL CONSOLE COM2,GP8,GP9
OPTION SYSTEM I2C GP20,GP21
OPTION FLASH SIZE 16777216
OPTION COLOURCODE ON
OPTION KEYBOARD US
OPTION PICO OFF
OPTION CPUSPEED (KHz) 315000
OPTION HDMI PINS 1, 3, 5, 7
OPTION SDCARD GP29, GP31, GP30, GP32
OPTION AUDIO GP10,GP11', ON PWM CHANNEL 5
OPTION RTC AUTO ENABLE
OPTION MODBUFF ENABLE 192
OPTION PLATFORM HDMIUSB
>
Hope that helps.

Cheers Peter

matherp
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Posted: 11:23am 22 Oct 2025

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Upgrade to a later version of the software. V6.01.00RC4 that I have just posted seems robust so try that. Then do the OPTION RESET HDMIUSBI2S and you should get

OPTION SERIAL CONSOLE COM2,GP8,GP9
OPTION SYSTEM I2C GP20,GP21
OPTION FLASH SIZE 16777216
OPTION COLOURCODE ON
OPTION KEYBOARD US
OPTION PICO OFF
OPTION RESOLUTION 640x480 @ 252000KHz
OPTION DISPLAY 24, 80
OPTION HDMI PINS 1, 3, 5, 7
OPTION SDCARD GP29, GP30, GP31, GP32
OPTION AUDIO I2S GP10,GP22', ON PWM CHANNEL 11
OPTION RTC AUTO ENABLE
OPTION COUNT GP0,GP1,GP2,GP3
OPTION MODBUFF ENABLE 512
OPTION PLATFORM HDMIUSBI2S
OPTION HEARTBEAT PIN GP25

walshpj64
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Joined: 21/10/2025
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Posts: 5

Posted: 11:52am 22 Oct 2025

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Awesome thanks, could not find V6.01.00RC4 but found V6.01.00RC5

unzipped and uploaded PicoMiteHDMIUSBV6.01.00RC5.uf2 OK. Noticed the heartbeat led did not start but the console session worked after dip switched restored and restarted.

did the OPTION RESET HDMIUSBI2S
and WOW Yes all the following happened. Only issue is the USB devices will not work. No green LEDS and keyboard not working. SD CARD works though which is a bonus.

PicoMiteHDMI MMBasic USB RP2350B Edition V6.01.00RC5
OPTION SERIAL CONSOLE COM2,GP8,GP9
OPTION SYSTEM I2C GP20,GP21
OPTION FLASH SIZE 16777216
OPTION COLOURCODE ON
OPTION KEYBOARD US
OPTION PICO OFF
OPTION RESOLUTION 640x480 @ 252000KHz
OPTION DISPLAY 24, 80
OPTION HDMI PINS 1, 3, 5, 7
OPTION SDCARD GP29, GP30, GP31, GP32
OPTION AUDIO I2S GP10,GP22', ON PWM CHANNEL 11
OPTION RTC AUTO ENABLE
OPTION COUNT GP0,GP1,GP2,GP3
OPTION MODBUFF ENABLE 512
OPTION PLATFORM HDMIUSBI2S
OPTION HEARTBEAT PIN GP25
>

walshpj64
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Joined: 21/10/2025
Location: Australia
Posts: 5

Posted: 11:58am 22 Oct 2025

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Just found the USB problem. Programming cable was still plugged in. Now All good Much appreciated.

matherp
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Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10511

Posted: 11:58am 22 Oct 2025

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Make sure you have unplugged the micro-usb and plugged in a USB-C to provide power. Also make sure the switches are both set to on

karlelch

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Joined: 30/10/2014
Location: Germany
Posts: 273

Posted: 06:27am 24 Oct 2025

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I just ordered 5 boards (the latest PicoMiteHDMIUSB design from Peter) from JLCPCB. I don't need 5, so I would be happy to give 2-3 away for the cost price (~40 €) to people in Germany/ the EU.

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